Toronto, ON (PRWEB) June 03, 2014
Approximately one-in-three Ontarians will develop stroke, dementia or both, and the incidence for each increases the risk of the other.
That was the message as three Ontario health organizations came together during Stroke Month to raise awareness for stroke and dementia. The Ontario Stroke Network, the Alzheimers Society of Ontario and the Heart and Stroke Foundation have joined forces to highlight the fact that stroke, dementia and heart disease share common risk factors, each increasing the odds of the other while the same healthy lifestyle can mitigate the risks.
Vascular cognitive impairment affects up to 60 per cent of stroke survivors and is associated with poorer recovery and decreased ability to function, said Ontario Stroke Network Executive Director Christina O'Callaghan. Improving the care system by identifying opportunities for collaboration toward healthier lifestyles in general and a treatment approach that recognizes and addresses possible co-morbidities, will benefit all Ontarians.
Dr. Sandra Black, Director of the Brain Sciences Research Program at Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto, said the public, physicians, patients and their care partners need knowledge and strategies to address disease prevention early diagnoses and disease management.
Stroke is the second commonest cause of dementia, and often is combined with Alzheimers disease, she said. Vigorous management of vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, exercise and a heart healthy diet, even in midlife, is crucial for dementia as well as stroke prevention.
Given our aging population, it is important for our healthcare system and for each individual to know their vascular risk profile and to start a healthy lifestyle at any age to improve brain reserve, as we search for new ways to facilitate recovery and new therapies to prevent and treat dementia.
David Harvey, Chief Public Policy and Program Initiatives Officer at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, said that risk factors for stroke, dementia and heart disease can be mitigated by the same healthy lifestyle changes, i.e. exercising, eating right, challenging the brain and staying social.
In older adults without Alzheimers disease, those who were very physically active were 40% less likely to develop Alzheimers disease than those who were inactive, he said. Healthy eating can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and by reducing the risks of these diseases, the risk of dementia is also decreased.
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1-in-3 Ontarians Will Develop Stroke, Dementia